On Sunday evening, December 2nd, the people of Sderot, Israel - a town located less than one mile from the Gaza border – gathered to light the first candle of the town’s menorah to commemorate the first day of Chanukah (also spelled Hanukkah). Jews around the world celebrate this holiday which marks the time when the Maccabean Jews regained control of Jerusalem and rededicated the Second Temple. What makes the candle lighting in Sderot worth mentioning is the fact that it is symbolic of how the Jewish spirit looks for ways to turn tragedy into triumph.

Israeli innovation was on the front burner during German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s recent visit, which highlighted joint initiatives in water, green energy and agritech. Israel and Germany also agreed to collaborate in artificial intelligence, cyber defense, water, nanotechnology, electrochemistry, and oceanographic and cancer research. Merkel’s visit is just one example of how Israel reaches out to help and heal the world.

Since Israel’s unilateral disengagement from Gaza in 2005, the standard of living for the Palestinian people in Gaza has steadily declined even though Israel gifted the Palestinians with thriving agricultural lands, productive greenhouses and beautiful beachfront communities.

What does it mean and how strong is it? The answer rests whoever is making the declaration.

Over the course of the past six plus years we’ve all heard talk from various world leaders threatening dire consequences if the opposition crossed “the red line.” The red line marks the end of the line, or does it?

Israel has a long history of standing up to bullies and their threats. They require not only an Iron Dome but also an iron fist, occasionally wrapped in a velvet glove, to protect her land and her people.

One of the first bullies to unleash taunts and threats against Israel was the Philistine giant Goliath. His military stance—and the future king of Israel’s response—is an example of how to stand up to bullies, whether individuals or nations.

Man’s inhumanity toward man began almost at the dawn of recorded history and hatred for the Jews is just as ancient. The Egyptian pharaoh and his people became markedly anti-Semitic based on fear and not much has changed.